I've got a 600 Mbps internet plan, and while I'm right next to the router on 5GHz WiFi, I can get around 400 Mbps. But when I move just 20 feet away, with half a wall in between, my speed drops to a miserable 6 Mbps on 5GHz and only about 18 Mbps on 2.4GHz. Is this typical behavior for WiFi? Do I really need to be right next to my router to get decent speeds, or is there something I can do to improve this?
4 Answers
5GHz WiFi is known for its higher speeds but shorter range. It doesn't pass through walls well at all. If you're just 20 feet away, this drop is concerning, but 2.4GHz might have better performance in such cases.
What do you mean by 'half a wall'? Items like appliances or metal objects along that wall can severely impact signal strength. Drywall is usually fine, but metal or concrete can really mess up your connection.
Make sure your router's antennas are connected properly. They should ideally be pointed towards each other for the best signal. Adjusting their position might help boost your connectivity.
It's possible you're on an overloaded channel. Use a Wi-Fi scanning app to check which channels are crowded and switch to one with less interference. Also, keep in mind that walls can seriously degrade your signal strength, especially with 5GHz.
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